Mental well-being and generativity as predictors of retirement preferences at the beginning of late adulthood: A longitudinal study

The study aimed to investigate whether mental well-being and generativity predict retirement preferences. Longitudinal data ( n = 201) were drawn from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS). Life satisfaction, psychological well-being, social well-being, and generativity were assessed at ages 42, 50, and 61. Preferred retirement age and willingness to continue working after retirement were assessed at age 61. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were deployed. The results showed that individuals with higher generativity at ages 42 and 61, as well as higher life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being at age 61, were more likely to prefer later retirement age (i.e., at or after the national minimum retirement age). Those with higher generativity at age 61 were more likely to be willing to continue working post-retirement. Some gender-based differences were observed. Men, but not women, with higher generativity and social well-being at age 42 were more likely to prefer post-retirement working. To conclude, generativity and mental well-being may be relevant in extending the working careers of aging employees.